"You took the easy way out"

[shmily 424]

VERY well said Jonathon......very well said......I told only a few and now when someone finds out I lost 100 lbs they always ask how. I tell them by making life changes etc......because I have

[ladypoohbear 123]

How is getting a gastric by pass an easy way out? Its easier because we got the "tool" to use. It a life long commitment and change. People loose weight different ways. Wat works for one person might not work for another person. Have a great day

[AngryViking 217]

I've gotten pretty positive responses from the few people I've given a straight answer to what they've asked "what are you doing?". Mostly along the lines of 'good for you'. And you know what? It IS good for me. People who are trying to get healthy and lose weight are basically all headed to the same destination. If my path is different from yours, what does that matter? What is important to me is that I finally got right with myself and loved myself enough to take that first step.

[snowbound 60]

I have told.know one ,just tell them I had hernia repair which is true,my daughter knows of course I have lost 95 lbs when asked about my weight loss just say I am eating healthy

[MisforMimi 760]

Well, I thought I'd chime in here and folks won't agree with me at first BUT like someone hinted to above, having a surgery will make the process of loosing weight EASIER not easy. But the body will respond and be able to take advantage of advanced technology in the area of weight loss/bariatrics. We use smart phones, we use apps to get rides, we use apps to borrow vehicles, we don't wash our dishes by hand (well I do, no dishwasher here). In every area of modern life its acceptable to utilize technology to MAKE LIFE EASIER....why is it necessary for everyone to "Biggest Loser" a weight loss, I will never understand.

[shmily 424]

Except me, I still have a flip phone and I don't text LOL

[oops 1]

I have worried about that same thing. I have told very few people. I don't know why I should keep my life choices a secret. In fact maybe this very post will make me come out on Facebook to the fact I had surgery December 2nd. Those that want to judge will always find something to judge about. Those that wish to talk behind your back always have something to say. But those that would show love and support for me don't get the chance because they don't know. !! HMMMPPHHH!! that doesn't seem fair. I liked what Green*Eyed*Girl said. It is the easy way out-because for the first time in my life I will be able to do this! I am motivated not just emotionally but physically. I can say it will make losing weight easier for me. So let the Judy Judges, Betty Backstabbers have there go!!

[shmily 424]

There is nothing EASY about what we have done to our bodies, and the wt can still be regained....

[Dabliss111114 180]

WOW, to all of you that have posted to this thread, I'm with you 100%.

I had my bypass surgery 4 weeks ago. I can honestly say that I feel better today than I have in nearly 2 years. I've only lost 32 lbs so far, which is a drop in the bucket, but I know that without having had the surgery I'd be getting close to the point of giving up yet another time. I can't count the number of times I dieted, lost maybe up to 45 lbs. then got lax about what I was doing because I was bored with it all or something was going on in my life that triggered my usual bad eating patterns.

This is different... There's no turning back. If I go back to my old eating habits I'll get sick. I made the commitment to do this because I knew I needed the help to do it to its completion, and I needed to improve my health. Is it easy???? Hell no, but is it worth it??? Absolutely!!!

I've told very few people about my decision, just like some of you. I don't think everyone on the planet needs to know this very personal choice I've made or why. If they ask what I'm doing, I'll reply that I'm working on being healthier. That's it...no further explanation. Then as they see me change dramatically they can think whatever they want. At some point I hope they choke on their Big Mac when they see me show up somewhere in a drop dead outfit that really shows off all my hard work. That day I'll feel like the woman I know still exists deep inside, and has been trapped inside the body that has taken me over for too many years. I look forward to better health, a better wardrobe, a better, sex life, and a much better sense of self!!! I deserve it, and so all of you!!!

[Beni 1,484]

If it's the easy way out why are they so stupid and don't do the same? Dimwitted I suppose.

[Jolisue 112]

So true!

[green*eyed*girl 170]

If it's the easy way out why are they so stupid and don't do the same? Dimwitted I suppose.

Beni, I guess it is a bit complicated.

First off, not everybody has health insurance. Even if they have insurance maybe bariatric surgery is excluded.

Second, it is difficult to come up with that much cash (more affordable in Mexico if you are willing to take that route), times are though.

Lastly it is not an easy decision to make. I was going back and forth for 3 years when finally I made up my mind. I can say that making a final decision was the hardest part about this surgery. I had to deal with shame, defeat, constant questioning myself "why can't I just lose weight on my own, safely?", guilt, and I was scared of the unknown. It took a while to come to terms with myself, and admit that I just can not do this without surgical help. It was a horrible feeling.

Share or not to share?

It is such a personal experience that only you know if you would like to involve others or if you want to keep it for yourself or share only with close family. Do as YOU like, and do not worry about what anybody thinks or say, because it does not matter. The only thing that matters is that you are on your way to a healthier life. And everybody who judge us can do me a favour. I honestly could not care less. I just stand there and smile, and then I go and I buy a size smaller jeans coz the old ones are falling off. So who is the real winner here?

I say this to everybody who is hesitating and scared and not sure if this surgery will work - it will. You will lose weight EASILY if you follow a few simple rules. It is going to be much easier to lose weight than you have ever imagined in your life. It might take time, but slow and steady wins the race, this surgery is designed to make you lose weight. So unless you stuff your face with cakes all day, eat chocolate and sweets, drink sugary drinks - you will lose weight.

[PhillyChick 8]

I guess I'm fortunate. I haven't had anyone say this to me....either I'm fortunate or they're afraid of my reaction - LOL

I had my surgery for a number of health reasons and keeping my legs was the primary one! I'm a type-1 diabetic and have several comorbidities ... circulatory problems, back pain, uncontrolled glucoses, hx of heart issues. Personally I don't think it's anyone's business what a person decides to do with their health. If YOU saw the track you were on to be a difficult one and one that couldn't be sustained for a healthy life then why wouldn't you make change?! Keep focused on you....haters will hate so don't let them suck you into their negativity!

[VSG AJH 499]

This phrase irritates me so much. Everyone "takes the easy way out" on all kinds of things. Just because we rely on modern technology and conveniences, as well as advancements in science, doesn't mean we're lazy. I bet your sister drove a car and didn't take a horse and buggy or walk to reach a destination recently. She probably used a smart phone to connect to people via satellites in space rather than hand writing a letter. She probably changed a channel using a remote control instead of walking across a room (or having a kid do it). Still, no one accused her of "taking the easy way out" when she opted to take advantage of modern advancement.

Additionally, as you stated, there is NOTHiNG easy about WLS. I have counted more calories/carbs/protein grams in my one year since surgery than I ever have in all of my life. This is the longest I've ever "dieted," and I don't see anything about my present relationship with food changing anytime soon. I know it's the same for many, many WLS patients. People who accuse us of "taking the easy way out" really just have no idea.

[wcdaniels 48]

I feel fortunate because I've never been told this to me. I would be just as angry as anyone else. My best friend lost 80 lbs, but he did it by isolating himself from his family and walking on a treadmill 2-3 hours a night. He was skeptical about me having the surgery until I explained to him that my main reason was to control my diabetes. The weight loss was a wonderful side effect.

While I of course agree that it is not the easy way out, I don't think I would classify it as the "easier" way (at least for me). I went through pain post-op, discomfort for 6 weeks until my insides healed, went 6 weeks without picking up my daughter, was exhausted all the time, struggled with nasty Protein shakes, struggled with liquids and pureeds, and struggled taking Vitamins multiple times a day. It got so much easier at the 6 week mark, as almost all of these things went away, but it was a challenge. It would've been much easier to follow a traditional diet and not have the surgery. Would I have been as successful? No, but it would've been easier.

I told everyone at work I was having this done, as well as everyone on Facebook. I wrote a long, extremely honest blog post, and gave the link to anyone who had any questions on why I was getting this done. I laid it all out there for anyone to see: my lost struggle with my weight, my minimal success and my many failures, my embarrassing and soul-crushing public issues (not fitting into seats, being rejected for my weight), and the health issues my weight was causing. I think it really helped people to understand why I had my surgery, and why it was really something that HAD to happen. Many people aren't comfortable with sharing so much personal information, I get that. I still surprise myself that I did it. But I'm glad I did, and I get nothing but support from my family, good friends, and acquaintances.